Degrees & Programs

Special Education

Help exceptional students reach their full potential. The field of special education encompasses a vast and growing body of knowledge for serving students with learning challenges, communications challenges, physical disabilities, developmental disorders, and emotional and behavioral disorders whose needs cannot be met in a traditional classroom environment.

Compassionate, committed educators can make a real difference in the future success of children and adolescents with disabilities. At the IU School of Education, you’ll learn about the theoretical foundations of special education, explore the latest research, and put your knowledge to work in real-world teaching environments that build your teaching skills and your confidence.

IU graduates are leaders in the field of special education. Our special education program is ranked #15 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. And our faculty is actively engaged in research that includes:

AAC-in-Action Project, providing research and training in the application and use of communication technology for people with severe communication problems

Promoting early social communication for toddlers with autism spectrum disorders

Overview

Our program, Special Education for Indiana Schools Today (SPEDFIST), delivers courses in a hybrid format. While some content is delivered online, face-to-face meetings help us develop real, mutually trusting relationships. Each core course includes two to four face-to-face meetings per semester. Students who live outside of a 50-mile radius are encouraged to contact their instructors and arrange either videoconferencing or an alternative assignment.

Students will also work with a chosen teacher mentor. If you are currently teaching, you can choose a mentor at your school. If you are new to teaching, we will help you find an experienced teacher in your content area who is willing to work with you for the duration of your studies.

Degrees

The IU School of Education offers the following licensure programs and degrees in Special Education:

Preparing Educators of Students with Autism (PESA) Certificate

Students in all graduate programs are invited to take course work included in the Preparing Educators of Students with Autism (PESA) Certificate. This 15-credit hour collection of courses focuses on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). You'll review current research and evidence-based practices in autism assessment and intervention. You'll also gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives of individuals with ASD and their families.

For more information about the PESA Certificate, contact Aimee Polk at aimpolk@indiana.edu.

Special Education Licensure/Certification

This hybrid program–taught both on campus and online through IUconnectED--prepares you for an Indiana teaching license in high-incidence disabilities.

Develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work in today's classrooms. Course work includes research-based instruction in classroom management, collaboration and service delivery, assessment, instructional strategies, and working with families.

When you complete your certification, you'll be prepared to work in inclusive school and community settings. You'll also understand strategies for other types of special education teaching environments, such as resource and self-contained settings.

Course work can help you achieve the following objectives

Initial Certification for Licensure, for new teachers or teachers already working with an emergency permit

Additional Certification for Licensure, for licensed Indiana teachers who want to earn a license addition in special education

Choose two courses in your chosen content area. This course work may be waived if you have previously taken qualifying course work from an accredited university.

M.S.Ed. in Special Education

Licensed elementary and secondary educators can add certification for "mild" or "intense" intervention through this innovative online program. You’ll be part of a collaborative cohort of students exploring innovations in special education and inclusive classroom practices. You’ll also receive individualized instruction from experienced supervisors during field-based learning experiences that offer you the opportunity to test your skills and knowledge in a real-world setting.

This 36-credit hour degree program includes 12 graduate courses, taken over the course of six semesters, including summers.

All students must choose a specialty track of four courses. You may combine courses from multiple tracks, or choose one of the options below:

Autism

Behavior Strategies

Early Childhood

Instructional Strategies

Intense Interventions

Capstone Project or Thesis (6 cr.)

You must complete your research course (Y510 or Y520) before enrolling for your thesis course work.

M.S.Ed. in Special Education for Indiana Schools Today (SPEDFIST)

This online-only degree program prepares you for the challenges of special education in the diverse and changing landscapes of today's classroom. Courses are centered on research and teaching methods that are proven to be effective in preparing individuals to address high-incidence disabilities (mild intervention).

Degree Requirements

Complete course descriptions and degree requirements can be found at IUconnectED.

All students must choose a specialty track of four courses. You may combine courses from multiple tracks, or choose one of the options below:

Autism

Behavior Strategies

Early Childhood

Instructional Strategies

Intense Interventions

Capstone Project or Thesis (3 cr.)

Culminating Seminar (1 cr.)

Students will reflect on their experiences with faculty and fellow colleagues.

M.S.Ed. in Special Education with Certification in Mild and Intense Interventions

Earn a master's degree in special education while qualifying for certification as a special education teacher in Indiana. This 36-credit hour degree program prepares experienced teachers to earn a license addition in special education.

Degree Requirements

Complete course descriptions and degree requirements can be found at IUconnectED.

K505 Introduction to Special Education

K510 Assistive Technology in Special Education

Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry

K548 Families, School, and Society

K553 Classroom Management and Behavioral Support

K525 Survey of Mild Disabilities

Mild Interventions

K541 Transition Across the Life Span

J 500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum

K562 Curriculum and Methods for Students with Significant Disabilities

Ph.D. in Special Education

Train the next generation of special education teachers and prepare for a career as a faculty researcher. You’ll focus your studies on three areas of expertise that will determine the focus of your course work. Topics may include:

Disability

Early intervention

Teacher education

Nonaversive behavior management

Transition from school to work

School reform

In this 90-credit hour program, you’ll be an integral part of our undergraduate and graduate special education courses. You’ll also have the opportunity to take on research projects with these organizations:

IU School of Medicine, whose affiliation with Riley Children’s Hospital offers medical and health-related opportunities for research and interdisciplinary training in the diagnosis, assessment, and medical and physical management of disability

The inquiry core includes a survey course in research methodologies and beginning courses in statistics, measurement, program evaluation, or in ethnographic, qualitative, quantitative, and historical research methods. See a complete list of approved inquiry core courses.

Major (36 cr.)

At least six (6) credit hours must be in inquiry linkage courses, including an early inquiry experience.

Minor (12 cr.)

At least twelve (12) credit hours of course work will be taken in an area of study outside of special education. The minor must complement the major. The committee member representing the minor field must approve the selection of courses in the minor area. An interdepartmental/interdisciplinary minor is also possible. In this case, the student must submit a written description of the theme of the minor, an explanation of the contribution of each course to that theme, and a rationale for the selection of the minor representative.

Electives (up to 27 cr.)

This category can include foundations courses, minor course work, or inquiry course work.